Coyotes Update: Catching Up On Some News

By Brandon LeBourveau

February 1st, 2001

– Czech defenseman Robert Schnabel was released by the Coyotes earlier this month at his request. Schnabel was struggling a lot this season and wanted a change of scenery. He will now be playing for Timra of the Swedish Elite League.

– The Future Considerations sent to Vancouver in return for Brad May this summer was announced a couple of days ago. The Coyotes will send a 3rd round pick in the 2001 Entry Draft to the Vancouver Canucks.

– The pending takeover of the team by an ownership group that includes Wayne Gretzky appears that the deal will get done before the February 15th deadline that current Coyotes owner Richard Burke and hopeful new owner Steve Ellman agreed upon in December.

– The Coyotes had 2 players participate in the 2001 World Junior Championships in Moscow, Russia earlier this month. Sami Venalainen had 1 goal and 1 assist in 7 games for Silver medal winning Finland and Jason Jaspers had 1 goal and 6 penalty minutes in 7 games for Bronze Medal winning Canada. Krys Kolanos was one of the last players cut for team Canada. Many believe that he should have definitely made the team.